State government reporter Heather J. Carlson

Campaign finance reform

June 23, 2010

Earlier today, 1st Congressional District Republican candidate Randy Demmer's campaign issued a press release calling on DFL Congressman Tim Walz to oppose the Disclose Act. That bill would require corporations and unions to reveal their top donors for campaign ads. This follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said corporations and unions have the right to spend an unlimited amount of money on campaigns. Demmer argued that the bill would end up limiting free-speech. Here's the link.

Walz responded by blasting Demmer for opposing the bill, which he said promotes transparency.

"Rep. Randy Demmer made it clear today he would stand on the side of Wall Street corporations that caused our economic collapse with their reckless decisions instead of standing up for southern Minnesotans," Walz is quoted as saying.

Walz goes on to say, "Instead of standing up for the right of citizens to know who is spending money in elections, Rep. Demmer is standing up for corporate interests who want to keep that information secret. Instead of standing up for taxpayers, Rep. Demmer is standing up for big banks who want to use your taxpayer dollars they received in the bailout to influence elections and defeat those who are holding them accountable."

1st Congressional District Republican candidate Randy Demmer called on Democratic Congressman Tim Walz to oppose the Disclose Act, a piece of campaign finance reform legislation being pushed by Democrats. In a press release, Demmer said the bill would "restrict free speech by placing onerous and costly regulations on industry groups, membership associations and individual companies."

The Disclose Act comes after a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that allows corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts in campaigns. The bill would require corporations and unions to release information about top donors for their campaign ads. The bill has the support of a few Republicans and most Democrats. A vote on the bill could come as earlier as tomorrow.

"This administration and the Congressional leadership that Tim Walz supports are attempting to legislate around the Constitution and selectively benefit their friends and muzzle their opposition with the mid-term elections just ahead," Demmer is quoted as saying.

The Hill reports that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has launched an advertising campaign against the bill saying it will limit business groups' free speech while giving unions a pass. Union officials and Democrats dispute that assertion.